Ashlyn Miller
Student Director
A long first day on campus might have incoming students thinking back to relaxing summer barbecues with music, food and games. Luckily, that’s exactly the type of oasis student leaders are hoping to provide with the debut of the New Student Social in place of the Block Party on August 26.
“We want to give them the opportunity to chill and have fun after all the excitement and stress of Move-In Day,” said Jake Edmunds, president of the Student Government Association.
The lineup of activities includes lawn games, a dunk tank, photo booth, tabletop games and two live music acts.
Highlighting the musical entertainment is professional artist and Messiah alumna Noa Jordan. A campus favorite who comes highly recommended after an appearance at Messiah’s B-Sides concert series, Jordan has opened for notable bands such as Gungor and Jenny & Tyler.
The Nashville-based artist has recently released a full-length record “The Lost Boys” and just debuted a new single, “Momentum (Carry On)” at the end of July.
New students will also get a taste of some campus talent as a student band, The Wildcards, will also perform a set for the crowd. Band members Alex and Connor Reinhard, Jake Bair and Ryan Emerick are familiar faces to fans of Messiah’s Coffeehouse, where the band has performed several high-energy covers.
Besides enjoying live music, students will be able to connect with campus leaders during the New Student Social. Edmunds said more students leaders than ever before have been involved in planning the event—and that this collaboration provides a unique opportunity for first-years to get connected with not only their classmates but different parts of the campus community.
“Our hope for this event is that new students have space to meet some more of their peers – both new students and upperclassmen student leaders (they might see around campus).”
Student leaders for various organizations on campus will each run one of the activities, allowing incoming students to have a preview of some clubs they may see at the Opportunities Fair. Participants include the Student Government Association, Eyas, Student Activities Board, Order of the Falcon, Multicultural Council, the Loft and more.
Still, Edmunds recommends one particular stop during the night’s activities.
“Don’t forget to head over to the Loft. They will continue to be a large part of (welcoming students) as they have been in previous years. Get in a game of Nine-Square In The Air if you can!”
This is the fourth story in a series of articles devoted to topics relevant to first-year students. Check out the last article in this series about the Agape Center’s new service opportunities and check back next Friday for the final article in this continuing series.